Breast Reduction and Mammoplasty Surgery

Breast reduction surgery, or reduction mammoplasty, is a popular cosmetic procedure, involving the removal of tissue and fat from the breast in order to decrease size and improve shape and lift.

Overly large breasts can affect self confidence and cause physical discomfort. Breast reduction surgery helps to realign the size of the breasts with the overall physique, reduce associated issues of back and neck pain, and correct asymmetry due to one breast being too large. The result can have profound effects, boosting self confidence and making you feel more comfortable in your own skin.

Breast Surgeon Sheikh Ahmad

With clinics in both London and Cornwall, Sheikh Ahmad has developed a unique breast reduction package for clients in the South West and all over the country. One that offers extensive surgical experience, a bespoke pre-op consultation process, a door-to-door VIP service and carefully crafted aftercare.

Mr. Ahmad has over 30 years of surgical experience, with extensive experience in cosmetic breast surgery and reductions with minimal scarring. He’s performed more than 1,000 breast augmentations and reductions, using a variety of techniques that are tailored to individual needs and demands.

Consultation includes full bio-dimensional planning with 3D imaging (Crisalix). An essential service to any person having breast reduction, this offers a unique pre-surgery evaluation that helps the client and surgeon make decisions regarding size, lift and overall shape.

On the day of surgery, and as part of the overall cost, a limousine service provides the client with comfortable and private transport both to and from the hospital.

Weekly clinics are held at Duchy Hospital in Cornwall and Riverside Hospital in London. To find out more and book a consultation, please make an appointment with Mr. Ahmad by contacting his secretary via email or telephone on 01872 248325.

Frequently Asked Questions

About breast reduction surgery

Why Opt For Breast Reduction Surgery?

Each person is unique, but generally people opt for breast reduction surgery because:

They’re not happy with the large size of their breasts.

They’re suffering from associated problems, such as neck and back ache, infection under the breast folds etc.

Conspicuous asymmetry due to one breast being too large.

Subsequent to cancer surgery, there’s a need to create symmetry (please see the section on therapeutic mammoplasty)

Does Breast Reduction Surgery Leave Scars?

Mr. Ahmad has vast experience in performing breast reductions with minimal scarring and employs techniques that minimise long term marks on the body.

How Is Breast Reduction Surgery Performed?

Both techniques produce very good results. As a general rule Mr. Ahmad uses the Wise pattern Inverted T technique for large reductions, and vertical pattern for moderate and small reductions. The vertical technique has the advantage of minimal scarring and more projection.

There are other less commonly used techniques, such as Benelli or round block, the L short-scar mammoplasty, etc. During the first consultation Mr. Ahmad will go through the pros and cons of each technique and recommend the most appropriate one, depending on your desires and preferences.

Is It Better To Lose Weight Before Breast Reduction Surgery?

Yes. The breast shape will be better controlled if you have lost weight and assumed a normal body mass index (BMI) prior to surgery.

At the very least you should bring your BMI to less than 30 through a diet. Some patients struggle with weight loss when they have very large macromastia (very large breasts) as large breasts make it difficult to exercise.

Mr. Ahmad would be happy to offer his professional advice in this situation.

Surgery

What Does Surgery Involve?

Surgery involves lifting the nipple and areola, a reduction of the breast skin envelope and an overall improvement in the shape of the breast.

How Long Will I Be In Hospital?

Most commonly breast reduction surgery is done as a day case, however if you have surgery in the evening you will normally stay overnight. Mr. Ahmad will review you the morning after surgery and, if everything is satisfactory, will discharge you from the hospital normally by midday.

What Clothes Should I Bring To Wear After The Operation?

A loose button-down shirt is ideal. Avoid clothes that would need pulling on over your head.

Are There Any Side Effects To The Operation?

The most common side effect is feeling sleepy for a few hours. Sometimes the anaesthetic or morphine make you feel sickly, but usually for a short time only.

You may feel slightly bloated for a few days. This is often due to slight constipation caused by morphine, codeine and tramadol medication. A gentle laxative (lactulose, movicol or senna) will help resolve this.

Post surgery, recovery and the future

Will I See The Surgeon Again After Surgery?

Your first appointment, between 10-14 days post-surgery, is with the surgical nurse practitioner, who makes sure that your healing is progressing in a satisfactory manner. Dressings are checked and redressed if required. Mr Ahmad sees you in few weeks after your surgery.

How Long Will It Take For The Swelling To Subside Entirely?

It can take up to four to six months for breasts to settle down completely.

Do I Need To Take Time Off Work After Surgery?

Yes. Please check with Mr. Ahmad in relation to what you do. Generally you will require two weeks off. Three weeks or more may be needed if your job involves lifting or heavy manual work.

If your job is sedentary, you can occasionally return after ten days, but remember that you may still be taking painkillers.

What Bra Should I Wear After Surgery?

Wearing a well-fitting bra after your recovery is important (usually for six weeks). An underwired bra is safe and recommended. Wearing a comfortable sports bra at night is also very useful.

A shock-absorber type bra should be worn during sport. Keeping the skin over the breasts moisturised helps to maintain the elasticity (Bio Oil is possibly advantageous here).

How Can I Prevent Sagging In Future Years?

Some sagging is inevitable, however, careful weight control can modify your risk.

Your breasts will always change as you get older, and this is irrespective of whether you have breast reduction or not.

This is because of biological changes that occur with aging such as loss of elastin, stretching of collagen, atrophy of breast tissue, loss of skin elasticity, sun damage to skin, smoking related damage, effects of weight change on skin and breast tissue, effects of pregnancies and breast feeding on skin and breast tissue, hormonal changes, weight of breast tissue and quality of supporting tissues.

Avoid the use of sunbeds and do not smoke at all (both have a very detrimental effect on skin elasticity and quality, as well as micro-vessel blood flow).

Maintain your weight in the healthy range for your body mass index.

What Will Happen In Event Of Something Going Wrong?

It is very rare to get any complications. In the rare event of post-operative complications, fixed price packages tend to cover you for complications during the first three months after the operation, as this is the time that surgery-related complications occur.

They do not cover the more long-term changes that can occur in the breasts of most women, such as developing a breast lump, or changes in sensation, and future breast sag. They also do not cover dissatisfaction with the size, or shape, unless it is related to a surgical problem.

Your surgeon’s post-operative pictures are the typical results achieved and not carefully selected photos simply to impress patients. These are the results your surgeon will expect to achieve with you, unless there are other limitations.

To find out more and to book a consultation, please make an appointment with Mr. Ahmad by contacting his secretary via email or telephone on 01872 248325.